A BAPTIST minister whose weekly column appears in my local paper claimed it’s more Christian to feed the hungry and help the poor than it is to “sit” in a monastery or cathedral.
If he were to visit, say, the monastery of New Norcia, 132km north-east of Perth, he would discover that its monks do very much more than “sit”: they grow fruit, vegies and olives, keep bees, run dairy cattle and sheep, bake bread, cook, run an art gallery – and pray.
They also welcome visitors.
For centuries, Catholic monasteries have been places of prayer and action.
Obviously, prayer is very important: Jesus himself spent 40 days in the desert, fasting and praying. Before each decisive moment in his life, Jesus would withdraw to some solitary place to dedicate himself to prayer and contemplation, and asked the apostles to do the same.
After someone had handed Christ five loaves and two fishes, He multiplied them miraculously.
If we offer time to Him in prayer – be it in a monastery, cathedral, car, plane or the open air – He’ll multiply our time as well.
HENK VERHOEVEN
Beacon Hill, NSW
